Elevate your weeknight dinner with this vibrant and flavorful Baked Pickerel recipe, a perfect fusion of simplicity and elegance. Moist and flaky pickerel fillets are seasoned with a harmonious blend of fresh dill, parsley, zesty lemon, and warm paprika, then brushed with a rich garlic butter for an irresistible depth of flavor. This easy-to-follow dish comes together in just 35 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings or casual entertaining. Oven-baked to perfection, the tender fish pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, a crisp salad, or buttery mashed potatoes. With its fresh herbs, light citrus notes, and perfectly balanced seasoning, this Baked Pickerel captures the essence of wholesome, satisfying seafood thatβs as healthy as it is delicious.
Preheat your oven to 375Β°F (190Β°C).
Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
Pat the pickerel fillets dry with paper towels and place them in the baking dish, skin-side down if applicable.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat and stir in the minced garlic, allowing the garlic to cook for 1-2 minutes without browning.
Brush the fillets with the melted garlic butter. Reserve a small amount of butter for later use.
Sprinkle the fillets evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Using a fine zester or grater, zest half of the lemon over the fillets. Then, slice the lemon and lay a few thin slices on top of the fish.
Finely chop the parsley and dill. Sprinkle these herbs generously over the fillets.
Drizzle the fillets with olive oil for extra flavor and moisture.
Bake the pickerel in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque in the center.
Remove the dish from the oven and brush the fillets with any reserved garlic butter.
Serve the baked pickerel immediately with additional fresh parsley and lemon wedges on the side, if desired.
Calories |
824 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 56.3 g | 72% | |
| Saturated Fat | 30.0 g | 150% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 324 mg | 108% | |
| Sodium | 2576 mg | 112% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.7 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g | ||
| Protein | 81.8 g | 164% | |
| Vitamin D | 20.0 mcg | 100% | |
| Calcium | 136 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 1407 mg | 30% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.